Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Pointer Inducted Into Black Hall Of Fame

LYNDIA WASHINGTON

SPECIAL TO THE PICAYUNE

Anita Pointer, lead singer of the pop music group, the Pointer Sisters, thanked the audience with a song Saturday as she was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame at the Excelsior Hotel in Little Rock.

Pointer was one of seven people with Arkansas ties to be honored at the event, which is sponsored by the Arkansas Regional Minority Supplier Developmental Council. Honorary Co- Chairpersons for the ceremony were Gov. Mike Huckabee and Attorney Woodson D. Walker.

Pointer is the lead singer for the Pointer Sisters and has written many of their songs, including the Grammy winning song, Fairy Tales. Elvis Presley also recorded the song. The group is also known for hits such as I'm So Excited, Slow Hand, and Neutron Dance.

Although she was born in California, Pointer spent many summers in Arkansas and her parents and her two brothers were born in Arkansas. Her father and brothers were born in Little Rock and her mother, Sarah Silas Pointer, was born in Prescott. Pointer attended McRae High School in Prescott, where she played saxophone in the band.

She said her mother is happy about the award. "Mom was smiling from side to side. I wanted to bring her, but her health wouldn't allow her to travel."

Arkansas has always been a part of her life, which makes the award so special. "Some of the most fondest memories of my childhood are of Arkansas," she said. "I was shocked when I was notified that I had been selected for the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. My first thought was 'What did I do to deserve this?' There are so many great people who have done phenomenal things."

She said she has received numerous awards during her career, but never a presentation as an individual. The Pointer Sisters have won three Grammies and several other major awards in the music industry, including American Music Awards and MTV awards.

Of the Arkansas award, Pointer said, "I am amazed. I thoroughly appreciate it from the bottom of my heart."

Arkansas themes and people are throughout several songs she has written. Among them are the Chinaberry trees at Grandma Roxie's (Silas), Garland Creek, and the late Henry 'Necktie' Jones.

The tribute to Ms. Pointer is also special, because this is the 25th anniversary of the Pointer Sisters.

The group includes two of her sisters, Ruth and June. Her sister Patricia (Bonnie) left the group years ago. The group is the first black female group to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn.

As for her career goals, Pointer said she is working on a solo recording, but emphasizes that she not going solo, and will continue to perform with the group.

She said she also would like to get into acting. "I've done some auditions. They keep turning me down and I keep trying," she said with a laugh. The Pointer Sisters have performed with the touring production of Ain't Misbehavin'.

Charles Stewart, chairman of the event, said this is the sixth year for the induction ceremony and there is still a large pool of worthy people from which to select. "I'm glad there are still many people willing to call Arkansas home," he said.

In addition to Ms. Pointer, this year's inductees are: Olympian Mike Conley, U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis (D. Ill.), scientist Samuel P. Massie, actress Phyllis Stickney, author Daisy Anderson (posthumous), and attorney Wiley Branton (posthumous).

Prescott residents attending the ceremony were Patricia Blake, Virlene Block, Joyce Fink, Olen Johnson, Helen Miller, Ivory and Patricia Roberts. Pointer's former high school principal, Joseph Hale, and a former teacher, Doris Hale, formerly of Prescott, but now living in Little Rock, also attended the ceremony. Ms. Miller also attended the VIP reception at the Governor's Mansion before the induction ceremony.

While in Arkansas Ms. Pointer spent two days this week in Prescott.

Monday she spoke at Munn's Chapel Baptist Church. She was asked to speak there to youth involved in the mentoring programs. She encouraged them to work hard, follow their dreams and shared stories about her life and time in Arkansas.